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Aug

19

Signs say Sibelius to be Obama VP, but are they decoy?

Filed Under Barack Obama, Vice President, WH2008 | 12 Comments

So says Tribble Ad Agency:

Our sources work within an ad agency that is hired by the Obama campaign, and have noted that the vast majority of the discussions there are regarding material logistics in terms of Kathleen on the vice president ticket. Now until this is verified please file it as rumor, however our sources on this are not bad.. and have yet to be proven wrong.

Our source noted “It will get a women on the ticket that shares the same views as Obama” a reference to many of the Hillary supporters..

Then of course we had to do some research.

I’d be surprised by this choice but who knows – right now anyway. Check out the comments in that thread.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 2:43 pm August 19th, 2008 in Barack Obama, Vice President, WH2008 | 12 Comments 

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Aug

19

Akron’s Maccabi Games review

Filed Under Cleveland+, Jewish, Judaism, Ohio, Sports, Youth | 9 Comments

I wasn’t in town during the games (Aug. 10-15) but here are a few articles about them:

JCC Maccabi Games brings international competition to Akron (includes video):

The Shaw JCC of Akron is hosting the JCC Maccabi Games from August 10 to August 15.

The event billed as an international Olympic-style, athletic, cultural and social event has been bringing Jewish teens together yearly since 1982.

The JCC Maccabi Games will involve teen competitors between the ages of 12 to 16 and draw more than 650 athletes, families and spectators to Akron.

Most of the athletes are drawn from across the country but some are coming to Akron from as far away as Israel and Hungary.

Here’s a nice narrative by the Akron Beacon Journal on the experience from the perspective of hosts and helpers:

”A lot of people in their 60s and 70s are housing kids this week,” Faye Regal said. ”They brought us out of the woodwork. . . . We’re having a great time with our new kids. The experience really takes us back. I feel like these kids are my own, at least this week.”

The Regals raised a son and daughter, but have been empty-nesters ever since their daughter got married two decades ago.

They are one of 121 families in the Akron area hosting the 350 Jewish athletes. They also are volunteers during the competition and work at the tennis matches.

”The best thing about housing the kids is that they are just like grandchildren,” Faye Regal said. ”You have them for a while to enjoy, and then after the week you turn them back over to their parents.”

The West Side Leader describes the historical and international aspects:

Though the JCC Maccabi Games are a chance for fun and competition, there is also an emphasis on history. According to organizers, the opening ceremonies of every JCC Maccabi Games include a tribute to the 11 Israeli Olympians murdered at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. Part of the Akron Games’ tribute included a performance by The Dance Institute of UA, shown at right middle.

In addition, officials said the Maccabi Games strive to teach teens the value of “tikkun olam,” the Hebrew phrase for “repairing the world.” That value took center stage during the Games’ Day of Caring and Sharing Aug. 13, a community service project that is a part of each JCC Maccabi Games and provides all athletes a chance to give back to the host community. Delegates were able to participate in four different community projects in Akron.

I found reaction to the event in this blog post, but I’m not sure how to interpret the writer’s thoughts.  It ends with this:

Come on, the Jews have most of the money and run most of the business world…do you REALLY need to rub it in our faces have your own freakin’ Olympics!? Just stick to penny-pinching, lawyering and filling up the upscale communities in America’s suburbs.

Akron’s not that big and has a lot of bloggers – if anyone can give some context, I’d appreciate it.

Did you go? Do you know anyone who competed? There were some Akron residents on my trip to Israel and they were sorry that they couldn’t be there, although they were very excited for the event and Akron.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 11:13 am August 19th, 2008 in Cleveland+, Jewish, Judaism, Ohio, Sports, Youth | 9 Comments 

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Aug

19

Cleveland’s newest city council member to address Ward 7 (and opponents) tonight

Filed Under Cleveland+, Democrats, leadership, Ohio, Politics, Women | 1 Comment

The Plain Dealer published a lengthy and chattier article today (with emotional photos) on Stephanie Howse, the appointed replacement for the late Cleveland City Council Fannie Lewis.  Everything positive that they write about Howse echoes what I know about Howse and why I expect that Howse will be able to establish herself as a unique and informed voice for the residents in her ward. The thumbnail sketch:

Stephanie Howse

Age: Turns 29 Thursday.

Residence: Hough neighborhood of Cleveland.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, civil engineering, Florida A&M University. Master’s degree, environmental studies, Cleveland State University.

Occupation: Cleveland City Council member for Ward 7.

Work history: Executive director/co-founder of Footprints, a nonprofit youth development organization. Cleveland region field director for the Ohio Democratic Party.

Family: Single. Her mother, Annie Key, is a former state representative.

Background: She grew up in the Hough neighborhood and played the harp in high school.

Early career goals: She wanted to become an engineer, but caught the political bug from her mother. She ran unsuccessfully for the Ward 7 council seat in 2005.

On being Fannie Lewis’ successor: “I was shocked and in awe.”

The article quotes ODP executive director Doug Kelly stating that Howse will resign from her ODP role and states that Howse will address the ward’s democratic club at an already scheduled meeting for tonight.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:19 am August 19th, 2008 in Cleveland+, Democrats, leadership, Ohio, Politics, Women | 1 Comment 

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